Vibration apparatus of automatic pill dispensing machine

ABSTRACT

A vibration apparatus in an automatic pill dispensing machine includes a pill box and a vibration unit connected to the pill box. The vibration unit includes a motor, a vibration member and a first cam. The vibration member is connected to the first cam and the pill box. The motor is powered on to rotate the first cam. The first cam resists against the vibration member. The first cam moves the vibration member and the pill box between a first height and a second height. The vibration member vibrates the pill box to separate pills from each other in the pill box when the first cam moves the pill box between the first height and the second height.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a vibration apparatus in automatic pill dispensing machines.

2. Description of Related Art

Automatic pill dispensing machines have pill pick-up arms to put pills into pill boxes. Sometimes the pills may be stuck together which causes the pill pick-up arms usable to retrieve the pills.

Therefore, there is a need for improvement in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the embodiments can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the embodiments. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an embodiment of a vibration apparatus of automatic pill dispensing machine.

FIG. 2 is a partial assembled view of the vibration apparatus of automatic pill dispensing machine of FIG. 1, viewed from one aspect.

FIG. 3 is a partial assembled view of the vibration apparatus of automatic pill dispensing machine of FIG. 1, viewed from another aspect.

FIG. 4 is an assembled view of the vibration apparatus of automatic pill dispensing machine of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references mean “at least one.”

FIG. 1 shows a vibration apparatus in an automatic pill dispensing machine of the embodiment. The vibration apparatus includes a pill box 10 and a vibration unit 20. The pill box 10 accommodates a number of pills (not shown). A contacting portion 11 extends downwardly from a bottom of the pill box 10. The vibration unit 20 includes a mounting bracket 21, a motor 22, a vibration member 23, a gear 24, a first cam 25, a fixing bracket 26 and a vibration block 27.

The mounting bracket 21 defines a first accommodating space 211 and a second accommodating space 212. The first accommodating space 211 communicates with the second accommodating space 212. A first accommodating slot 213 is defined above the second accommodating space 212 in the mounting bracket 21. A first locating axle 214 and a second locating axle 215 substantially perpendicularly extend from the second accommodating space 212.

A first mounting portion 216 is positioned on the mounting bracket 21 beside the first accommodating space 211. A second mounting portion 217 is positioned on the mounting bracket 21 beside the second accommodating space 212. In one embodiment, the first locating axle 214 and the second locating axle 215 are substantially column-shaped. One side of both the first mounting portion 216 and the second mounting portion 217 is substantially a diagonal surface.

A rotating axle 221 is positioned on one terminal of the motor 22. The rotating axle 221 defines a number of outer threads 222. In one embodiment, the number of outer threads 222 is substantially diagonally positioned on the rotating axle 221.

A first pivoting hole 231 is defined in one terminal of the vibration member 23. A first protrusion portion 232 extends upwardly from a top of the vibration member 23. A cutout 233 is defined at a bottom of the vibration member 23. A second protrusion portion 234 is formed at the bottom of the vibration member 23 beside the cutout 233. In one embodiment, the first protrusion portion 232 and the second protrusion portion 234 are substantially cone-shaped.

A number of first teeth 241 is positioned around the gear 24. A second cam 242 is positioned on the gear 24. A number of engaging portions 243 is positioned around the second cam 242. A second pivoting hole 244 is defined in the second cam 242. The second pivoting hole 244 passes through the gear 24 and the second cam 242. In one embodiment, a diameter of the second locating axle 215 is substantially equal to a diameter of the second pivoting hole 244.

The first cam 25 includes a cam body 251. A number of second teeth 252 are positioned around the cam body 251. A receiving slot 253 is defined in the cam body 251. In one embodiment, a shape of the receiving slot 253 is substantially the same as a shape of the second cam 242.

A second accommodating slot 261 is defined at a top of the fixing bracket 26. The first accommodating slot 213 and the second accommodating slot 261 cooperatively define a third accommodating space (not labeled). A first locking bracket 262 and a second locking bracket 263 substantially perpendicularly extend from two sides of the second accommodating slot 261. A first opening 264 is defined in the first locking bracket 262. A second opening 265 is defined in the second locking bracket 263. A first fixing portion 266 and a second fixing portion 267 protrude from the fixing bracket 26.

In one embodiment, the first locking bracket 262 and the second locking bracket 263 are elastic brackets. The first opening 264 and the second opening 265 are substantially rectangular. A dimension of the first mounting portion 216 is substantially equal to a dimension of the first opening 264. A dimension of the second mounting portion 217 is substantially equal to a dimension of the second opening 265.

In one embodiment, the first fixing portion 266 and the second fixing portion 267 are substantially column-shaped. A diameter of the first locating axle 214 is substantially equal to a diameter of the first fixing portion 266. A diameter of the second locating axle 215 is substantially equal to a diameter of the second fixing portion 267.

FIGS. 1 to 3 show that in assembly, the motor 22 is located in the first accommodating space 211 of the mounting bracket 21, the vibration member 23 and the gear 24 are moved toward the second accommodating space 212 of the mounting bracket 21. The first locating axle 214 and the second locating axle 215 pass through the first pivoting hole 231 and the second pivoting hole 244 respectively. The vibration member 23 and the gear 24 are fixed in the mounting bracket 21.

The first cam 25 is moved toward the second cam 242 of the gear 24. The engaging portions 243 around the second cam 242 are received in the receiving slot 253 of the first cam 25. The outer threads 222 on the rotating axle 221 engage with the first teeth 241 around the gear 24. One of the second teeth 252 on the first cam 25 is received in the cutout 233 of the vibration member 23 and resists against the second protrusion portion 234.

The fixing bracket 26 is moved toward the mounting bracket 21. A distal end of each of the first locating axle 214 and the second locating axle 215 are respectively fixed in the first fixing portion 266 and the second fixing portion 267. The first locking bracket 262 and the second locking bracket 263 respectively resist against the diagonal surface of each of the first mounting portion 216 and the second mounting portion 217. The first locking bracket 262 and the second locking bracket 263 are elastically deformed. The first mounting portion 216 and the second mounting portion 217 are respectively locked in the first opening 264 and the second opening 265.

The vibration block 27 is located in the third accommodating space. The first protrusion portion 232 of the vibration member 23 is resisted at bottom surface of the vibration block 27. The vibration unit 20 is assembled completely. In one embodiment, a top surface of the vibration block 27 is substantially a spherical surface.

FIG. 4 shows that in use, the assembled vibration unit 20 is located below the pill box 10. The top surface of the vibration block 27 is contacted with the contacting portion 11 of the pill box 10. The motor 22 is powered on and the rotating axle 221 rotates. The rotating axle 221 engages with and rotates the gear 24. The first cam 25 rotates together with the gear 24. The number of second teeth 252 around the cam body 251 resist against the second protrusion portion 234 of the vibration member 23.

The number of second teeth 252 raises up the vibration member 23 when passing through the vibration member 23, the vibration member 23 is at a first height. The cam body 251 moves down the vibration member 23 when passing through the vibration member 23, the vibration member 23 is at a second height. The first cam 25 moves the vibration member 23 between the first height and the second height. The vibration member 23 swings around the first locating axle 214.

The first protrusion portion 232 of the vibration member 23 resists against the bottom surface of the vibration block 27. The vibration block 27 is vibrated in the third accommodating space. The top surface of the vibration block 27 resists against the contacting portion 11 of the pill box 10. The pill box 10 is vibrated together with the vibration block 27. The pills in the pill box 10 are vibrated and are separated from each other. The correct number of pills can be received by the automatic pill dispensing machine.

Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present disclosure have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the disclosure, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in the matters of shape, size, and the arrangement of parts within the principles of the disclosure to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A vibration apparatus in an automatic pill dispensing machine, comprising: a pill box; and a vibration unit connected to the pill box; wherein the vibration unit comprises a motor, a vibration member and a first cam; the first cam comprises a cam body; at least one second tooth is positioned on the cam body; the vibration member is connected to the first cam and the pill box; the first cam is configured to be rotated by the motor; the at least one second tooth on the cam body resists against the vibration member; the at least one second tooth raises the vibration member and the pill box to a first height when the at least one second tooth passes through the vibration member; the cam body lowers the vibration member and the pill box to a second height when the cam body passes through the vibration member; and the vibration member vibrates the pill box when the first cam moves the pill box between the first height and the second height.
 2. The vibration apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a first protrusion portion extending upwardly from a top of the vibration member; a cutout is defined at a bottom of the vibration member; a second protrusion portion is formed at the bottom of the vibration member beside the cutout; the first protrusion portion resists against a bottom of the pill box; the second protrusion portion resists against the first cam; and the at least one second tooth is received in the cutout of the vibration member and resists against the second protrusion portion.
 3. The vibration apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vibration unit further comprises a gear; the first cam is fixed on the gear; a rotating axle is positioned on one terminal of the motor; the rotating axle is configured to be rotated by the motor; the rotating axle engages with and rotates the gear; and the first cam rotates together with the gear.
 4. The vibration apparatus of claim 3, wherein the rotating axle defines a number of outer threads thereon; a number of first teeth are positioned around the gear; and the number of outer threads engage with the number of first teeth.
 5. The vibration apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a receiving slot defined in the first cam; a second cam is positioned on the gear; a number of engaging portions are positioned around the second cam; and the number of engaging portions are received in the receiving slot.
 6. The vibration apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a vibration block, a mounting bracket and a fixing bracket; the vibration block is connected to the vibration member and the pill box; the mounting bracket defines a first accommodating space and a second accommodating space therein; the first accommodating space is communicated with the second accommodating space; a first accommodating slot is defined above the second accommodating space in the mounting bracket; a second accommodating slot is defined at a top of the fixing bracket; the first accommodating slot and the second accommodating slot cooperatively define a third accommodating space; the motor is located in the first accommodating space; the vibration member, the gear and the first cam are located in the second accommodating space; and the vibration block is located in the third accommodating space.
 7. The vibration apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a first locating axle and a second locating axle substantially perpendicularly extending from the second accommodating space; a first fixing portion and a second fixing portion protruding from the fixing bracket; a first pivoting hole is defined in one terminal of the vibration member; a second pivoting hole is defined in the second cam; the second pivoting hole passes through the gear and the second cam; the first locating axle and the second locating axle pass through the first pivoting hole and the second pivoting hole respectively; and a distal end of each of the first locating axle and the second locating axle are fixed in the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion respectively.
 8. The vibration apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a first mounting portion and a second mounting portion positioned on the mounting bracket; a first locking bracket and a second locking bracket are positioned on the fixing bracket; a first opening is defined in the first locking bracket; a second opening is defined in the second locking bracket; the first locking bracket and the second locking bracket resist against one side of each of the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion respectively; the first locking bracket and the second locking bracket are elastically deformed; and first mounting portion and the second mounting portion are locked in the first opening and the second opening respectively.
 9. The vibration apparatus of claim 8, wherein the one side of each of the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion is substantially a diagonal surface.
 10. A vibration apparatus in an automatic pill dispensing machine, comprising: a pill box; and a vibration unit connected to the pill box; wherein the vibration unit comprises a motor, a vibration member and a first cam; the vibration member is connected to the first cam and the pill box; the first cam is configured to be rotated by the motor; the first cam resists against the vibration member; the first cam moves the vibration member and the pill box between a first height and a second height; and the vibration member vibrates the pill box when the first cam moves the pill box between the first height and the second height.
 11. The vibration apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first cam comprises a cam body; at least one second tooth is positioned on the cam body; the at least one second tooth on the cam body resists against the vibration member; the at least one second tooth raises the vibration member and the pill box to the first height when the at least one second tooth passes through the vibration member; and the cam body lowers the vibration member and the pill box to the second height when the cam body passes through the vibration member.
 12. The vibration apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a first protrusion portion extending upwardly from a top of the vibration member; a cutout is defined at a bottom of the vibration member; a second protrusion portion is formed at the bottom of the vibration member beside the cutout; the first protrusion portion resists against a bottom of the pill box; the second protrusion portion resists against the first cam; and the at least one second tooth is received in the cutout of the vibration member and resists against the second protrusion portion.
 13. The vibration apparatus of claim 11, wherein the vibration unit further comprises a gear; the first cam is fixed on the gear; a rotating axle is positioned on one terminal of the motor; the rotating axle is configured to be rotated by the motor; the rotating axle engages with and rotates the gear; and the first cam rotates together with the gear.
 14. The vibration apparatus of claim 13, wherein the rotating axle defines a number of outer threads thereon; a number of first teeth are positioned around the gear; and the number of outer threads engage with the number of first teeth.
 15. The vibration apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a receiving slot defined in the first cam; a second cam is positioned on the gear; a number of engaging portions are positioned around the second cam; and the number of engaging portions are received in the receiving slot.
 16. The vibration apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a vibration block, a mounting bracket and a fixing bracket; the vibration block is connected to the vibration member and the pill box; the mounting bracket defines a first accommodating space and a second accommodating space therein; the first accommodating space is communicated with the second accommodating space; a first accommodating slot is defined above the second accommodating space in the mounting bracket; a second accommodating slot is defined at a top of the fixing bracket; the first accommodating slot and the second accommodating slot cooperatively define a third accommodating space; the motor is located in the first accommodating space; the vibration member, the gear and the first cam are located in the second accommodating space; and the vibration block is located in the third accommodating space.
 17. The vibration apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a first locating axle and a second locating axle substantially perpendicularly extending from the second accommodating space; a first fixing portion and a second fixing portion protruding from the fixing bracket; a first pivoting hole is defined in one terminal of the vibration member; a second pivoting hole is defined in the second cam; the second pivoting hole passes through the gear and the second cam; the first locating axle and the second locating axle pass through the first pivoting hole and the second pivoting hole respectively; and a distal end of each of the first locating axle and the second locating axle are fixed in the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion respectively.
 18. The vibration apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a first mounting portion and a second mounting portion positioned on the mounting bracket; a first locking bracket and a second locking bracket are positioned on the fixing bracket; a first opening is defined in the first locking bracket; a second opening is defined in the second locking bracket; the first locking bracket and the second locking bracket resist against one side of each of the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion respectively; the first locking bracket and the second locking bracket are elastically deformed; and first mounting portion and the second mounting portion are locked in the first opening and the second opening respectively.
 19. The vibration apparatus of claim 18, wherein the one side of each of the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion is substantially a diagonal surface. 